75-year-old Army veteran saves 16 children from library attack

When 16 children and their mothers found themselves trapped in a Morton Public Library as a man with hunting knives screamed, "I'm going to kill some people," a 75-year-old Army veteran came to their rescue.

James Vernon had no intention of letting 19-year-old Dustin Brown hurt any of the children in the library. Instead, he fought back. While Brown's knife cut two arteries and a tendon on Vernon's left hand, Vernon still managed to save the 16 children and their families.

"I tried to talk to him. I tried to settle him down. I didn't, but I did deflect his attention and calmed him a bit. I asked him if he was from Morton, did he go to high school. I asked what his problem was. He said his life sucks. That's a quote."
James Vernon

"First rule of combat: Be fast and vigorous. I grabbed him and threw... Somehow he wound up on a table. I hit him on the (right) collarbone with my closed hand."
James Vernon

Brown finally dropped the knife. Vernon, who was bleeding intensely, held Brown down until a library employee arrived to remove the knives and help keep Brown down until police officers and paramedics arrived.

Vernon is currently recovering from surgery for his wounds.

Watch this video to learn about another veteran who risked his life to save others: